Crash kills off-duty firefighter

A crash in western Phelps County that was not discovered for several hours after it happened sometime Wednesday night or Thursday morning has claimed the life of an off-duty firefighter.

Eddie O'Neill

A crash in western Phelps County that was not discovered for several hours after it happened sometime Wednesday night or Thursday morning has claimed the life of an off-duty firefighter.According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Clarence Steve Huffman, 42, of Doolittle, died in the crash that took place on Interstate 44, one mile west of Doolittle. The exact time of the crash is unknown.A highway patrol incident report states that Huffman was driving a 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck east on I-44 when it traveled off the left side of the interstate into the median. The patrol said Huffman then overcorrected and the vehicle rotated clockwise, returned to the highway but then ran off the south side of I-44 and rolled several times down a steep embankment. The patrol said Huffman was ejected from the vehicle and that he was not wearing a seat belt.His body was taken to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. Huffman was pronounced dead at 4:15 p.m. Huffman was a resident of Doolittle and had proudly served as a volunteer firefighter and past board member of the Doolittle Rural Fire Protection District. "He was a very great worker and we will miss him dearly," said Doolittle Mayor Paul Smith. He was employed by the City of Rolla Fire and Rescue for more than 19 years and currently served as an engineer. Huffman was a charter member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 3905 and most recently had served as the president of the organization. Funeral services will be held Monday, Sept. 23, at 11 a.m. at the James and Gahr Funeral Home in Rolla with the Rev. Ron Smith, assistant fire chief, officiating. A full fire department service will be provided with interment at the Roach Cemetery in Doolittle. Visitation for family and friends will be Sunday, Sept. 22, from 3-6 p.m.Memorials can be made to Firefighter’s Memorial Foundation via the City of Rolla Fire and Rescue.

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